SOCIAL housing providers in Wales could lead the way in helping the country meet targets to reduce its carbon output by refurbishing their stock of affordable homes, according to NorDan UK, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of high-quality windows.

NorDan UK, which has just opened a new office in Cardiff, says housing associations can help residents keep their homes warmer and reduce their heating bills, while also reducing the carbon output and wider environmental impact of their housing stock, by installing its low-carbon window systems.

The company says social landlords should consider windows when they access the Welsh government’s £270 million investment into upgrading social homes. The investment is part of the Wales Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) scheme, which aims to improve the living conditions of residents, and the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) in Wales, which focuses on retrofitting homes with energy-efficient technologies that reduce carbon and improve energy performance.

Lou Johnson, NorDan UK’s Regional Director for Wales and West of England, who is heading up the Cardiff office, explains: “Decarbonising social homes hinges on hitting energy performance targets. For housing associations in Wales, this means grasping the critical role of windows and doors, which are responsible for around 20% of a home’s total heat loss.

“Establishing a permanent base in Cardiff will enable us to provide even better support to our clients and partners in Wales. This is about NorDan UK’s deep-seated commitment to supporting sustainable housing practices in Wales, helping social landlords find the best and most cost-effective solutions for their residents.”

NorDan UK has a wide range of potential customers in Wales, from private new build developments and retrofit schemes, through to smaller self-build and DIY projects. Because Wales has hundreds of miles of rugged coastline, NorDan UK’s products will be perfect as they are designed for tough Scandinavian conditions.

Demand for NorDan UK’s products from affordable housing owners and developers in England and Scotland, for new build and refurbishment projects, has soared in recent years as providers strive to meet the UK’s net Zero targets.

The company counts ten of the twelve major G15 social landlords in London among its customers. Not only do their windows deliver long-term cost savings because they last longer than PVC windows, they also help keep homes warmer, meaning lower energy bills for tenants.

This is why the company is extending its expertise and innovative solutions with the inauguration of a new Wales headquarters and showroom in Copse Walk, Cardiff. By establishing a local presence, NorDan aims to forge strong relationships with housing associations and private developers in Wales, while highlighting the vital role windows play in the overall mix of improvements to homes.

Founded in Norway almost 100 years ago the company now has 12 factories across the UK and more than 2,200 employees, with project management offices in Exeter, Gloucester, Birmingham, Manchester, Livingston, Aberdeen and Inverness, and now Cardiff.

THE Association of Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (the “REA”), which represents around 500 UK companies and organisations working across the renewable energy and clean tech sectors, has appointed Trevor Hutchings as its new Chief Executive. Trevor will join the REA on July 1^st. Trevor succeeds Dr Nina Skorupska CBE who is standing down as the REA’s Chief Executive after more than 10 years.

Trevor’s immediate priority will be to press the incoming Government to put the energy transition and net zero front and centre of its legislative programme.  The REA has urged all UK political parties to promote and commit to policies that support sustainable energy growth, low carbon innovation, and the country’s legally binding net zero carbon emissions targets.

Prior to taking over the chief executive role at the REA, Trevor Hutchings was Partner for Sustainability at the international consulting firm, BIP.   His career has been shaped across the public, private and NGO sectors in multiple roles supporting clean energy development, net zero, the environment and climate action.

Trevor has worked at Gemserv, the energy services firm (where he led the firm’s the growth and diversification strategy), within Whitehall departments, and with the European Commission in Brussels leading climate and environment programmes, including policies to support the renewables market in the UK.  He has also worked at WWF, the global conservation NGO, where he was Director of Advocacy, focusing on improving public policy and environmental governance.

Trevor is also Chair of the Green Purposes Company set up by the UK Government to safeguard the green mission of the Green Investment Bank, following its 2017 sale to Macquarie, the global infrastructure investor.

Trevor Hutchings said: “I take up my role at the REA as the country goes to the polls, and we reach an inflexion point in the journey to a sustainable, low carbon future. Net zero is within our grasp and the actions taken by the next administration will determine whether we get the job done.   The businesses that make up the UK clean energy and technology industries – many of whom are our members – have the innovation, skills and expertise to cement the UK’s position as climate leader.”

“But the next Government must take vital steps in providing the policy and fiscal regimes that encourage, rather than deter, investment.  This is crucial in not only addressing the pernicious effects of carbon emissions but also reducing energy bills and providing domestic energy security.”

“And while there is a clear moral imperative to emissions reduction, it is also an enormous opportunity for economic growth and international competitiveness. By 2035, jobs in British renewable energy could reach 210,000, while its contribution to the UK economy could double to £46bn. But there’s still much to be done to ensure that clean & green is at the heart of the country’s industrial growth strategy.  We must make sure that UK businesses are not shut out of the low carbon race by policies that fail to compete with the significant investment in clean technology from the US, Europe and China.”

Martin Wright, Chair of the REA, said: “Trevor’s deep-rooted commitment to the environment and sustainability, combined with his career experience, will be invaluable to the REA.  The UK’s pathway towards net zero has reached yet another critical moment with a new Government soon to be elected. The REA, under Trevor’s leadership, will do everything to ensure that Government, across every department, delivers on its net zero commitments and that it fosters a business environment that can accelerate the growth of the UK renewable and clean tech sectors.”

Martin Wright added: “We are hugely grateful for Nina’s leadership over the past decade.  She strengthened the REA’s voice and influence in government, fostered greater collaboration within the energy industry and during her time as Chief Executive widened the breadth of REA’s membership to more than 500 companies.  We wish her well in the next stage of her career.”

Dr Nina Skorupska said: “I am thrilled that Trevor is succeeding me.  We have achieved so much in the past decade and under his stewardship, the REA will continue to have a major influence within government and an effective voice for its members. I wish Trevor the very best in the future and thank the REA team, past and present, the REA Board and all of the REA’s members for their friendship and the support given to me over the past decade.”

Following her tenure as REA Chief Executive, Nina will continue to be involved in the energy sector, joining the Electricity System Operator and National Grid Distribution as an advisor.  Nina will retain her non-executive directorship at Royal BAM Group, the construction and energy services company, and she will continue to be a board member for Transport for London (TfL).  In 2016, Nina received a CBE for her services to the UK renewable energy sector and for promoting diversity in the energy industry.

In instances of disaster, resilience and adaptability are paramount for communities and economies to recover and rebuild. As the arena grapples with the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies, innovative answers are needed to facilitate rapid and powerful restoration efforts. At the vanguard of this endeavor is the Digital Yuan, China’s principal bank digital currency (CBDC), which holds the ability to revolutionize disaster healing and resilience efforts, with initiatives from investment education firm like the yuanedgeai.com poised to contribute to its implementation and impact. This article explores the role of the digital yuan in disaster restoration and resilience, analyzing its applications, advantages, challenges, and implications for the future.

Understanding Disaster Recovery and Resilience:

Disaster recovery refers back to the procedure of rebuilding and restoring groups and infrastructure within the aftermath of a catastrophe, along with hurricanes, earthquakes, or public health emergencies. Resilience, alternatively, includes the potential of individuals, communities, and structures to withstand, adapt to, and recover from disruptions and adversity.

The Digital Yuan: Enabling Swift and Secure Transactions in Times of Crisis

Disaster Relief Payments:

The Digital Yuan can facilitate the fast distribution of disaster alleviation bills to affected people and groups, bypassing conventional banking systems and administrative bottlenecks. By leveraging the blockchain era and digital charge infrastructure, catastrophe relief funds may be dispensed without delay to recipients’ virtual wallets.

Supply Chain Resilience:

In instances of disaster, retaining the resilience of delivery chains is crucial to ensuring the continuous delivery of essential goods and offerings to affected areas. The Digital Yuan can enhance supply chain resilience by permitting obvious and traceable transactions along the supply chain, from procurement and distribution to transport and inventory management.

Business Continuity:

For organizations, maintaining continuity and resilience in the face of disasters is important to sustaining operations and safeguarding livelihoods. The Digital Yuan gives organizations a secure and efficient manner of undertaking financial transactions, even in instances of disaster. By embracing digital bills and blockchain-based solutions, corporations can decrease disruptions, facilitate far-flung work, and adapt to changing marketplace situations.

Benefits and Opportunities:

Efficiency and transparency:

The Digital Yuan streamlines catastrophe recovery efforts by supplying green and transparent monetary transactions, reducing administrative overhead, and improving responsibility. By digitizing monetary aid and relief applications, governments and agencies can monitor the budget in real time, identify areas of need, and allocate resources more correctly, making sure that assistance reaches people who need it most.

Financial Inclusion:

In catastrophe-prone areas and marginalized communities, access to traditional banking services can be restricted or nonexistent. The Digital Yuan promotes financial inclusion by providing individuals and agencies with access to digital economic offerings, irrespective of their geographic area or socioeconomic status. 

Data-driven decision-making:

The Digital Yuan generates precious information insights that can inform choice-making and coverage systems in disaster restoration and resilience planning. By studying transaction statistics, government organizations, remedy companies, and policymakers can perceive trends, investigate desires, and prioritize interventions, enabling focused and efficient allocation of assets for long-term restoration and rebuilding efforts.

Challenges and Considerations:

Digital Divide:

The adoption of virtual currencies like the Digital Yuan may additionally exacerbate current disparities in access rights and virtual infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas. Bridging the digital divide is crucial to ensuring equitable access to financial services and opportunities for all individuals and communities, no matter their technological literacy or connectivity.

Cybersecurity Risks:

Digital currencies are vulnerable to cybersecurity dangers, including hacking, fraud, and data breaches. Safeguarding the security and integrity of the digital Yuan surroundings is paramount to defensive users’ assets and touchy information from malicious actors. Implementing strong cybersecurity measures and encryption protocols is vital to mitigating cyber threats and ensuring the resilience of digital foreign money systems.

Regulatory Frameworks:

Regulatory frameworks for virtual currencies are nonetheless evolving, with regulators grappling with issues including purchaser safety, financial balance, and monetary sovereignty. Clarifying regulatory hints and standards for the usage of digital currencies in catastrophe recovery and resilience efforts is critical to fostering agreement and self-belief amongst stakeholders.

Conclusion:

The Digital Yuan holds giant capability as a catalyst for catastrophe recuperation and resilience, offering green, obvious, and secure economic transactions in instances of crisis. By leveraging virtual foreign money technology and blockchain infrastructure, governments, organizations, and communities can enhance the efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity of disaster recovery efforts, promoting economic resilience, empowerment, and sustainability. However, addressing demanding situations, which include the virtual divide, cybersecurity risks, and regulatory uncertainties, is essential to understanding the overall potential of the Digital Yuan in building a more resilient and adaptive destiny for groups and economies worldwide. As the arena faces increasingly complicated and interconnected challenges, the Digital Yuan stands poised to be a beacon of resilience and innovation in catastrophe recovery and resilience efforts.